Apple iPhone 6 review

The Apple iPhone 6 currently has an Informr score of 8.9 out of 10.
This score is based on our evaluation of 58
sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

What's good

Improved processor performance

Good battery life

Excellent contrast and color reproduction

Fast auto-focus technology

What's bad

Screen isn't full HD

Large bezels around screen

For years, Apple held onto the smaller 4-inch screen size despite the growing popularity of 5-inch+ Android phones. The release of the iPhone 6 is Apple's white flag in the small screen department. At 4.7-inches, it might not be as large as many of the flagship Android phones, but reviewers find it to be a huge improvement over previous iPhones. Its 1334x750 resolution gives it a pixel density of 326PPI. As sharp as the display looks on its own, when compared to Full HD screens reviewers noticed text and images lacked some clarity and crispness. That said, they point out the enhanced screen technology and excellent contrast help make up for the lower resolution screen somewhat.

Besides the larger screen, the iPhone 6 has updated its look to a full glass and aluminum construction. While fairly large at 5.4 inches, it is only 0.3 inches thick and, according to reviewers, feels even thinner due to its curved design and softened angles. CNET states, "The new iPhone feels good to hold and beautifully solid…But it also has a slight aura of fragility." Despite its larger size, experts were still able to handle the phone with one hand easily.

Specs-wise, the iPhone 6 comes with some decent upgrades with an Arm8 dual-core, 1.4GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. Apple claims that the A8 processor gives a 25 percent boost in speed and 50 percent graphics boost over the A7. When put through benchmark tests, the results did show that it was faster than previous processors, but not by a huge margin. In real-life tests, critics also noticed overall improvements in performance from launching and using apps to switching home screens. BGR notes, "The difference is not huge, but it is noticeable and appreciated." Battery life has also improved from its predecessors and lasted critics around 13 hours of light usage.

In the camera department, there isn't an upgrade at all in terms of resolution as it still remains at 8MP. Instead, the biggest improvement comes in autofocus. Apple has included a new sensor with Focus Pixels technology that reduces the time the camera needs to focus and take a picture. When put to the test, experts did notice a marked improvement in overall picture taking speed and video recording. The Verge adds, "I move the phone around and it never appears to be focusing, yet everything is always crisp and ready." Apple has also included additional features such as manual controls, Slow-motion video, cinematic stabilization and time-lapse images. Reviewers also point out that actual photo quality has also improved, though it isn't a huge upgrade over the iPhone 5s. They add that images are sharp with vibrant colors and low-light images are clearer than those from the 5s.

Critics laud the iPhone 6 as the upgrade and feature boost that Apple needs to compete with Android phones. Stuff.tv says, "It's a real looker, with an amazingly slim and deeply attractive build…It's the most powerful iPhone ever…"Techradar adds, "The iPhone 6 is a brilliant phone…if you can forgive the price…[it] should be at the sharp end of your consideration for your next smartphone."

What the Critics Are Saying...

The iPhone 6S is the best smartphone out there, period. If you already own last year’s model, you might not find its new features compelling enough to upgrade. But, if you own an older iPhone, or an Android phone you’re ready to ditch, this new iPhone will make you much happier.

- Walt Mossberg, The Verge

The iPhone 6 is Apple’s best phone yet – but we expected nothing less. It might not be a design classic like the iPhone 4 or iPad mini, but it nevertheless looks and feels great. Like the 5S before it the iPhone 6 manages to do everything with aplomb – it has no serious weaknesses.

- Evan Kypreos, TrustedReviews

The real reason to spring for an unlocked iPhone 6 isn't hardware, but software and support. The iPhone and other top smartphones are generally within striking distance of each other on specs. But only the iPhone runs iOS, with its reliable updates, consistent design, and exclusive third-party apps....

- Sascha Segan, PC Magazine

So should you buy an iPhone 6? That's easy: if you loved an iPhone in the past, you'll love the iPhone 6. It's everything that we've loved about previous iPhones but with a bigger screen, improved user interface, better camera, and faster processor. It has worse battery life than the iPhone 5S, but...

- Reviewed.com staff, Reviewed

The iPhone 6 -- if you think of it as the overdue screen upgrade that last year's iPhone 5S wasn't -- is a very solid upgrade for any owner of the iPhone 5 or earlier Apple model. And it's finally the sort of phone that an Android owner might once again leap over to buy. But add in Apple Pay, and th...

Prices (Where to Buy)

Common Questions

Apple iPhone 6 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Apple's suggested retail price is $749.00. You can compare iPhone 6 prices from around the web here on The Informr.

If your iPhone 6 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Apple support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Apple's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.

Critic Reviews

Keeps Apple on top in the smartphone race

The iPhone 6S is the best smartphone out there, period. If you already own last year’s model, you might not find its new features compelling enough to upgrade. But, if you own an older iPhone, or an Android phone you’re ready to ditch, this new iPhone will make you much happier.

The iPhone 6S is the best smartphone out there, period. If you already own last year’s model, you might not find its new features compelling enough to upgrade. But, if you own an older iPhone, or an Android phone you’re ready to ditch, this new iPhone will make you much happier.

Apple’s best phone yet

The iPhone 6 is Apple’s best phone yet – but we expected nothing less. It might not be a design classic like the iPhone 4 or iPad mini, but it nevertheless looks and feels great. Like the 5S before it the iPhone 6 manages to do everything with aplomb – it has no serious weaknesses.

The iPhone 6 is Apple’s best phone yet – but we expected nothing less. It might not be a design classic like the iPhone 4 or iPad mini, but it nevertheless looks and feels great. Like the 5S before it the iPhone 6 manages to do everything with aplomb – it has no serious weaknesses.

The right iPhone at the right size

The real reason to spring for an unlocked iPhone 6 isn't hardware, but software and support. The iPhone and other top smartphones are generally within striking distance of each other on specs. But only the iPhone runs iOS, with its reliable updates, consistent design, and exclusive third-party ap...More

The real reason to spring for an unlocked iPhone 6 isn't hardware, but software and support. The iPhone and other top smartphones are generally within striking distance of each other on specs. But only the iPhone runs iOS, with its reliable updates, consistent design, and exclusive third-party apps. And between Apple stores, authorized retailers, and fan blogs, Apple's support infrastructure is far superior to that offered by any other unlocked phone vendor.

Accepting poorer battery life in exchange for a larger screen

So should you buy an iPhone 6? That's easy: if you loved an iPhone in the past, you'll love the iPhone 6. It's everything that we've loved about previous iPhones but with a bigger screen, improved user interface, better camera, and faster processor. It has worse battery life than the iPhone 5S, but if you are like us and spend most of your time on your phone using the web, messaging, or consuming content the larger screen is a must...

So should you buy an iPhone 6? That's easy: if you loved an iPhone in the past, you'll love the iPhone 6. It's everything that we've loved about previous iPhones but with a bigger screen, improved user interface, better camera, and faster processor. It has worse battery life than the iPhone 5S, but if you are like us and spend most of your time on your phone using the web, messaging, or consuming content the larger screen is a must.

Even if you don't want a giant phone, the 4.7-inch display on the iPhone 6 is the perfect sweet spot. It'll feel big compared to the older 4-inch iPhones, but once you adapt you'll never want to go back. And because Apple elected to keep the size under five inches, it's just as easy to use with a single hand. It's also lighter, smoother, thinner, and has an improved operating system—though we're still partial to the more squared designs of the 5S.

Compared to the 5S, the biggest tradeoff you're making is accepting poorer battery life in exchange for a larger screen. The battery life here is acceptable, but we have long-term concerns about how it'll do once you've put it through its paces a few hundred times. There's certainly lots of room for improvement, and power users will find a USB backup absolutely essential.

All in all, the iPhone 6 is a very credible upgrade to the iPhone 5S. It's not perfect, but it's a worthy flagship from Apple that goes toe-to-toe with Android, smartly borrowing some of the best features from Google's operating system without losing what has made the previous iPhones so popular. It's a signal that Apple is finally challenging some of the design principles that got Apple to this point, but were keeping iPhones from growing further (literally).

Sets the smartphone bar

The iPhone 6 -- if you think of it as the overdue screen upgrade that last year's iPhone 5S wasn't -- is a very solid upgrade for any owner of the iPhone 5 or earlier Apple model. And it's finally the sort of phone that an Android owner might once again leap over to buy. But add in Apple Pay, and the rest of this iPhone's improvements, and the iPhone 6 really vaults a different level. It's a truly excellent overall phone, and one of the very best phones this year. It's better in every way -- with the annoying exception of battery life, which remains merely adequate...

The iPhone 6 -- if you think of it as the overdue screen upgrade that last year's iPhone 5S wasn't -- is a very solid upgrade for any owner of the iPhone 5 or earlier Apple model. And it's finally the sort of phone that an Android owner might once again leap over to buy. But add in Apple Pay, and the rest of this iPhone's improvements, and the iPhone 6 really vaults a different level. It's a truly excellent overall phone, and one of the very best phones this year. It's better in every way -- with the annoying exception of battery life, which remains merely adequate.

You can get better battery life if you choose to go bigger; that, as well as an ever-so-slightly better camera, and a larger higher-res screen, await on the 6 Plus. But even when trying them side by side, the phone I reached for more often was the iPhone 6. And to me, that makes it the iPhone to buy -- even if its battery life is merely average.

I want a phone that's easy to hold, fits in my pocket, and works great. The iPhone 6 is all of that.

One of the best smartphones available right now

The iPhone 6 starts at Rs 53,500, which is around the same price at which the iPhone 5s was launched last year. Considering the limited storage and the fact that you can’t expand the memory with a memory card, the price may be a deal breaker for many.

Apart from that, the iPhone 6 surpasses most areas, which makes it one of the best smartphones you can buy right now. It has a brilliant display, one of the best cameras you’ll find on a smartphone, excellent call sound quality and it’s super-fast to use. It’s definitely the best iPhone you can buy, but if you don’t mind the massive screen, you may like the iPhone 6 Plus more...

The iPhone 6 starts at Rs 53,500, which is around the same price at which the iPhone 5s was launched last year. Considering the limited storage and the fact that you can’t expand the memory with a memory card, the price may be a deal breaker for many.

Apart from that, the iPhone 6 surpasses most areas, which makes it one of the best smartphones you can buy right now. It has a brilliant display, one of the best cameras you’ll find on a smartphone, excellent call sound quality and it’s super-fast to use. It’s definitely the best iPhone you can buy, but if you don’t mind the massive screen, you may like the iPhone 6 Plus more.

On the downside, the iPhone 6 lacks in features compared with rivals. For example, it’s not waterproof, you can’t expand the storage and you can’t use NFC for transferring data. Also, despite the improvements in iOS 8, it’s sill not as flexible as Android. If these are things that matter to you, consider other alternatives such as the Galaxy S5 or the LG G3.

If you are already an iPhone user and are unhappy with the screen size, the iPhone 6 is worth the upgrade. But iPhone 5s users, in particular, won’t find much of a conceivable difference in terms of the overall performance.

The most appealing iPhone ever

Apple's two new devices are very similar in terms of the experience they deliver, with only the screen size setting them apart. Thus, users can choose the screen size (and physical size) that suits them better, without feeling as though they've compromised by picking a lesser device either way. In the Android world, larger phones tend to hog all the best features, and "mini" versions are almost always cut down...

Apple's two new devices are very similar in terms of the experience they deliver, with only the screen size setting them apart. Thus, users can choose the screen size (and physical size) that suits them better, without feeling as though they've compromised by picking a lesser device either way. In the Android world, larger phones tend to hog all the best features, and "mini" versions are almost always cut down.

That said, the iPhone 6's relatively smaller body means that the battery is smaller, and the camera has to make do without optical image stabilisation. On the other hand, each iPhone 6 model comes in at Rs. 9,000 less expensive than the equivalent iPhone 6 Plus. We think most people would be better off with a 64GB iPhone 6 than a 16GB iPhone 6 Plus at the same price.

Specifications shouldn't fool you into thinking this phone is any less powerful than an Android flagship. If you've been waiting for a reason to ditch an old phone and jump onto the Apple bandwagon, the iPhone 6 is one of the best reasons to do so. If you're thinking of upgrading from an iPhone 4S or earlier, you'll absolutely love what the iPhone 6 has to offer. Naturally, the difference won't be as stark for iPhone 5 or 5s owners running iOS 8, and they can easily stick with their current phones for another year or so unless they really feel like splurging.

One of the best phones on the market

The iPhone 6 isn’t a groundbreaking device and one of its biggest features, Apple Pay, has been found in Android phones for years. However, the iPhone 6 delivers one of the best all-around smartphone packages that money can buy. From the excellent camera to its all day battery life to its intuitive software, there’s something here for everyone. And it makes it easy to look past some of Apple’s design decisions...

The iPhone 6 isn’t a groundbreaking device and one of its biggest features, Apple Pay, has been found in Android phones for years. However, the iPhone 6 delivers one of the best all-around smartphone packages that money can buy. From the excellent camera to its all day battery life to its intuitive software, there’s something here for everyone. And it makes it easy to look past some of Apple’s design decisions.

Those looking for a bigger, better display will want to opt for the iPhone 6 Plus, but for everyone else the iPhone 6 is the right choice. It’s not the cheapest smartphone on the market but it’s a sound investment. This is a smartphone that you can buy with confidence knowing that it’s still going to be good two years from now.

Surely the best iPhone to date

You really don’t have to be an Apple fan boy to appreciate the build quality and class of iPhone 6. It’s in Apple’s DNA to build products with exceptional attention to detail irrespective of its design. As tech enthusiasts we can just admire the overall build – mind you we...More

You really don’t have to be an Apple fan boy to appreciate the build quality and class of iPhone 6. It’s in Apple’s DNA to build products with exceptional attention to detail irrespective of its design. As tech enthusiasts we can just admire the overall build – mind you we are not talking about the design, internal hardware or software!

Best smartphone camera ever with very good performance

Apple's devices have always been about premium design combined with good performance. Not the iPhone 6 though. Apple seems to have stumbled in the effort to make its iPhone bigger. The new device is all performance and though it sports a good design, it's not the amazing design that we've seen be...More

Apple's devices have always been about premium design combined with good performance. Not the iPhone 6 though. Apple seems to have stumbled in the effort to make its iPhone bigger. The new device is all performance and though it sports a good design, it's not the amazing design that we've seen before. It's still one of the best iPhones till date though and if you thought that the iPhone needed a bigger screen, then go ahead and buy this.

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